A draft document to be discussed with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu at the summit, promises only to open new areas of negotiation on Turkish membership “soon.”

Leaders, such as European Parliament President Martin Schulz have said the refugee deal and Turkey’s EU aspirations must be kept separate. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in January, before the current deal was put on the table, that it is “not realistic” to give a time-frame for when Turkey can expect to join.

European Council President Donald Tusk traveled to Cyprus ahead of the summit this week, the EU state most opposed to opening a path for Turkey to enter the bloc.

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So, a few days after the “unacceptable” AfD victory at the German elections, the head of the EU Commission that but a few weeks ago put down in a proposed agreement with Turkey:

“7. The EU, together with Turkey, will prepare for the decision on the opening of new chapters in the accession negotiations as soon as possible, building on the October 2015 European Council conclusions.”

now says to a GERMAN newspaper that Turkey isn’t read and will not be for 10 years at least.

Sometimes elections do matter, don’t they? Merkel may say that she hasn’t changed her stance, but allow me to think she passed a note to Juncker under the table.

Posted on 3/17/16 | 10:53 AM CEST

Tim

GC: I think you’re reading too much into this, and reading it wrongly too. I doubt anyone’s stance on this matter has changed. There was no support for Turkey joining anytime soon, and there still is no support for Turkey joining anytime soon. The opening (not closing) of new chapters is pretty much meaningless, so the fact that that’s what’s written in the ‘deal’ and nothing stronger already signals that nothing has changed since. I’m sure in due course the chapter on science&arts co-operation or fisheries will be opened. When they will be completed if ever, is anyone’s guess. The Copenhagen Criteria are what they are.

Posted on 3/17/16 | 12:35 PM CEST

JanV

If the EU itself were to apply for EU membership would it be ready? Have the leaders of the EU institutions been elected?